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"The toxicity of dimethicone (9006659), di-2-ethylhexyl-sebacate (7313544) (DEHS), and corn-oil (8001307) is reviewed. The goal is to suggest alternatives to the use of di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (117817) (DEHP) in quantitative fit testing of respiratory protective devices. DEHP has been used for many years to generate a polydisperse aerosol test atmosphere in testing and to determine facial leakage in individual respirator wearers by quantifying aerosol leakage by light scattering photometry. However, DEHP has been found to be carcinogenic in two rodent species. NIOSH has thus reevaluated the overall toxicity of DEHP in respirator testing. Refined corn-oil, DEHS, and dimethicone exhibit polydisperse aerosol properties essentially equivalent to those of DEHP. Limited available reports indicate little toxicity data on DEHS and dimethicone that is relevant to testing. Refined corn-oil demonstrates lack of carcinogenic potential in its extensive use as a vehicle in carcinogenesis bioassay and in other more direct experimental applications. The author concludes that refined corn- oil aerosol is best suited as an alternative to DEHP in testing." - NIOSHTIC-2

Phthalates are a group of industrial chemicals with many commercial uses, such as solvents, additives, and plasticizers. For example, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is added in varying amounts to certain plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride, to i...

"Since 2001, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established performance and design standards for respiratory prot...